Shadow Touched: A Paranormal Vampire Romance (A Touch of Vampire Book 1) by Becky Moynihan (great reads TXT) 📕

safest for everyone that way. But I’ll lay low for now and try to at least graduate from highschool. You need to let me know right away if more vampires come looking for me though.”

The shadows around his head dipped as he nodded. “Deal. Do you still have the vial of blood I gave you?”

“Yes, but”—I wrinkled my nose—“do you actually want me to drink it?”

“A drop every day will suffice. You’ll experience no adverse effects. It’s only meant to protect you from vampire thrall.”

Not quite ready to drink blood, despite his reassurance, I said, “I think you’re right about my bracelet protecting me from vampire thrall. I was able to resist you up until this weekend when I didn’t have it on. My aunt immediately noticed that I wasn’t wearing it and offered to repair the clasp. I’m pretty sure she knows about vampires.”

“She does.”

I blinked, caught off guard by his certainty.

Before I could question him, a yellow glow through the trees caught my eye, coming from my aunt’s bedroom. Even though I knew she couldn’t see me, I crouched, whispering, “I need to get back. She can’t find me out here.”

“Hold on.”

In a flash, Lochlan picked me up and zoomed through the trees. I barely had time to squeeze my eyes shut against the cold wind before we stopped. He carefully released me beside the slider door while I caught my breath. “Uh . . . thanks.”

Without a word, he stepped back. Wings of panic beat at my chest as I waited for him to vanish. Acting on impulse, I grabbed his hand. We both tensed, but I didn’t let go and he didn’t pull away. “When will I see you again?” I whispered.

He lowered his gaze to study our linked hands, answering quietly, “I don’t know. But I’ll be watching. Always.” He freed his hand, raising it to skate a thumb across my cheek. “Stay safe, McKenna.”

I knew what would happen next, but I wasn’t ready. He disappeared in a rush of wind, leaving me cold and hollow inside.

When I snuck back inside the house, I held my breath, expecting Aunt Tess’s door to fly open at any moment. It didn’t. And at breakfast the following morning, my bracelet was on the dining room table, looking brand new and completely fixed.

24

Many things changed during the month of November.

Aunt Tess left the house a lot—without explanation, of course. Peyton and Hailey started hanging out with me and Isla again. Reid invited us to every one of his football games, letting us hang out with a few of his “pack mates.” I kept a silver dagger hidden in my boot at all times, even at school. The first early winter snow had fallen, making it easier for me to wear gloves without looking weird.

And, like he promised, Lochlan kept his distance. No texts, phone calls, or school appearances. No notes or roses on my windowsill. Several days had passed since I’d felt the cold presence of his shadow self. Or seen the glow of red eyes in the woods at night.

The only thing that didn’t change was Kade. He continued to attend the school, assuring me that no new vampires had been spotted in Rosewood. He still refused to answer most of my questions about supernatural stuff and wouldn’t allow me to visit their house again. He cheered me up the best he could, though, while I struggled to cope with each passing day.

Ever since the weekend spent with Lochlan, something inside me had changed. There was a hole in my chest. I could actually feel it, like a hollow rock was embedded beneath my sternum. No matter how hard I tried to fill it with school and friends, it remained empty, leaving me morose and listless.

Then there were the sleepless nights. No matter how tired I was, my body’s restlessness woke me every few minutes. I could no longer hide the dark circles under my eyes, nor properly focus on schoolwork. My friends had noticed, especially Kade and Isla. Nearly a month had passed since the weekend at the cabin when they cornered me after school.

“What are your plans tonight?” Kade asked as I shut my locker and tucked a limp strand of hair behind my ear.

“Um, I’ve got an English Lit paper due on Monday that I haven’t even started yet, so—”

“Good,” Isla said and grabbed my bag, slinging it over her shoulder. “Call your aunt and tell her you’re having a Friday night slumber party at my place.”

“But—”

She marched for the exit before I could protest.

Kade draped an arm over my shoulders and steered me after her. “No buts, little Kenna. You desperately need this. Holy Moses, when’s the last time you ate? You’re boney.”

I scowled at him, but swallowed my retort when I saw his genuine worry. I looked away with a shrug. “I haven’t been very hungry lately.”

To be honest, I was getting worried myself. Maybe my time as a temporary werewolf had messed with my body. But it wasn’t like I could research what side effects Syphons experienced after absorbing supernatural powers. I hadn’t touched a supernatural since—that I knew of anyway—and faithfully wore my new bracelet and gloves. I hadn’t touched the vial of Lochlan’s blood either, still uneasy at the thought of drinking blood.

After a quick call to Aunt Tess, I waited for Isla to hand me my bag. She tossed it to Kade instead. Flashing my car keys, she pocketed them. “Kade’s driving you. We’ll pick your car up later.” She gave me a hug, then hurried to her white Mini.

Uuuh.

Unprepared for their scheming, I allowed Kade to usher me inside his Mustang without comment. We were halfway to Isla’s house before I found my voice. “Why can’t I drive?”

“Because you’d try to escape.” He engaged my door’s child lock.

I rolled my eyes. “Escape what? I like going to Isla’s house.”

He rubbed his lips together and refused to comment. Whatever. I settled into the seat and closed my eyes.

Several